Plum tree, Suplumfifteen

ABSTRACT

A plum tree generally similar to the Simka Plum Tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,882) which it most nearly resembles, bearing large, dark purple fruit, but which ripens about three weeks later than that of Simka, is larger, and is clingstone.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plum treebroadly characterized by its very productive and regular bearing offruit which is uniformly large and globose in shape, and having a darkpurple skin which is tenacious to pale yellow flesh, the flesh clingingover the entire surface of the stone. The new variety further is broadlycharacterized by its general similarly to the Simka Plum Tree (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 1,882), differing therefrom in several importantcharacteristics including the greater size of its fruit and the ripeningthereof about three weeks later than that of the Simka.

It has long been recognized that prospective consumers of fruit, and inparticular potential purchasers of plums, are influenced in their buyingdecisions, in large part, by the aesthetic appeal of a given variety.The Simka Plum Tree has long been known as a regular bearer of large,rose ebony colored fruit having pale yellow flesh. However, while theSimka has obtained a certain degree of commercial success, it has longbeen known that it would be desirable to provide a plum broadly similarthereto but which ripens later than the Simka in order to provide adark-skinned, attractive fruit at a time during the season when fewvarieties of similarly appearing plums are available. Further, it haslong been known that it would be desirable to provide such a plum havingnot only an attractive, even exterior coloration but also having anaesthetically pleasing, uniformly globose form with firm,delicately-flavored flesh.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety of plum tree was discovered by me in 1980 growing as aseedling in an orchard located at 5090 East Church Avenue in Fresno,Calif., and owned by the Superior Farming Company of Bakersfield, Calif.The seedling resulted from a planned breeding program conducted andsupervised by me at the aforementioned location on behalf of SuperiorFarming Company, and the seed resulted from an open pollination of aflower of a Simka Plum Tree.

I asexually reproduced the new variety in 1980 by budding the varietyinto other trees or rootstocks located at the above-identified address,and the fruit and tree characteristics resulting from such buddingproved identical to those of the original hybrid seedling.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The instant variety of plum tree is characterized by its generalsimilarity to the Simka Plum Tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,882), but hasthe important distinction of ripening approximately three weeks later.Further, the fruit is larger than that of Simka and is cling rather thanfreestone.

The new variety is a very productive and regular bearer of large,globose fruit having evenly colored, dark purplish skin. The fruit ofthe new variety has pale yellow, firm-textured flesh which ripens evenlywith abundant rich juice and a delicate, superior eating flavor. Theflesh clings to the stone over the entire surface thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of three mature plums ofthe subject variety with one plum divided to show the flesh color andstone characteristics, together with a stone which has been removed fromanother mature plum and a representative twig showing characteristicleaves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of plum tree, the following has been observed under theecological conditions prevailing in the designated orchard in FresnoCounty, Calif. All of the color code plate indications are by referenceto the Munsell Limit Color Cascade, except where common terms of colordefinition are employed.

TREE

Size: Medium to small.

Vigor: Medium.

Figure: Upright, vase-formed.

Productivity: Very productive.

Regularity of bearing: Regular.

Trunk:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture of bark.--Medium.

Branches:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Color.--Brown on older wood; glossy green on new shoots.

Lenticels.--Medium in number; small in size.

Leaves:

Size.--Medium; length -- 12.0 cm.; width -- 4.6 cm.

Form.--Oval, accuminate; abruptly pointed.

Thickness.--Medium.

Color.--Medium green.

Texture.--Smooth.

Marginal form.--Crenate.

Petiole.--Length -- medium; thickness -- medium.

Glands.--Average number 2, irregular; opposite; small; globose; green;positioned at base of blade, on petiole.

Stipules.--Present.

Flower buds: Small, short, plump, free.

Flowers: Small, white; date of full bloom -- Feb. 28 in 1983, mediumcompared with other varieties.

FRUIT

Maturity:

Date of first pick.--Aug. 10, 1983.

Date of last pick.--Aug. 20, 1983.

Size: Uniform, large; axial diameter -- 6.2 cm; diameter transverse insuture plane -- 6.6 cm.; diameter at right angles to suture plane -- 6.6cm.

Form: Uniform, globose.

Suture.--Inconspicuous shallow line extending from base to apex.

Ventral surface.--Rounded throughout; lips equal.

Cavity.--Rounded, circular; depth -- 7 mm.; breadth -- 24 mm.

Base.--Rounded.

Apex.--Rounded.

Pistil point.--Apical.

Stem.--Length -- medium; caliper -- medium.

Skin: Medium thickness; medium texture; tenacious to flesh; slighttendency to crack.

Color.--Plate 2-15.

Down.--Wanting.

Flesh:

Color.--Pale Yellow, Plate 26-3; surface of pit cavity -- Pale Yellow,Plate 28-11.

Amygdalin.--Wanting.

Juice.--Abundant, rich.

Texture.--Firm, fine.

Fibers.--Few, fine, tender.

Ripening.--Even.

Flavor.--Delicate.

Aroma.--Wanting.

Eating quality.--Excellent.

Stone: Cling; adheres to flesh over entire surface; short fibers.

Size.--Medium; length -- 2.3 cm.; breadth -- 2.0 cm.; thickness -- 1.2cm.

Form.--Globose.

Base.--Straight.

Hilum.--Narrow oval.

Apex.--Rounded.

Sides.--Equal.

Ridges.--Rounded toward base.

Ventral edge.--Thin, with wing throughout.

Dorsal edge.--Narrow with shallow narrow groove.

Color.--Plate 28-11.

Tendency to split.--Slight in dry season.

Use: Fresh market; dessert.

Keeping quality: Good.

Shipping quality: Good.

Although the new variety of plum tree possesses the describedcharacteristics as a result of the growing conditions in Fresno County,Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude in characteristicsincident to growing conditions, fertilization, pruning and pest controlare to be expected.

Having thus described and illustrated my new variety of plum tree, whatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:
 1. A new anddistinct variety of plum tree substantially as illustrated anddescribed, characterized particularly as to novelty by its generalsimilarity to the Simka Plum Tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,882) in itsregular and productive bearing of large, dark purplish skinned fruithaving firm, pale yellow flesh, but differing therefrom in the greatersize of its fruit, the ripening of its fruit about three weeks laterthan that of the Simka, and its flesh which clings over the entiresurface of the stone.